Frank Gore: He loves this game

* It’s easy to be cynical when it comes to the business of professional sports, but it’s also easy to believe running back Frank Gore really missed football and couldn’t wait to end his contract holdout.

Sure, perhaps Gore would still be in Miami if the Niners didn’t agree to eventually extend his contract — something Jim Harbaugh anticipated happening “sooner rather than later.” But Gore, known as a football junkie, appeared genuinely thrilled to be back in pads Tuesday.

Harbaugh said it was clear Gore had immersed himself in the playbook during the lockout. On his first day back, Harbaugh said Gore was already calling out protections and giving tips to his teammates.

Gore is clearly eager to be a part of a modern-day offense.

“I missed the game. I missed being out here with my teammates, the coaching staff,” Gore said. “… I talked to Coach Harbaugh before I left and he’s got some great stuff for the offense. I think by me and him just talking and being here going on seven years, the six years I was here, I really feel that with him, this offense is going to really click.”

After watching Anthony Dixon and Kendall Hunter run during the first three practices, it was clear that Gore just has a different gear. He hits holes so decisively and then has another level of quickness and acceleration.

It’s kind of beautiful to watch.

* Colin Kaepernick, I think you’ve heard, has a huge arm — Harbaugh delighted in referring to it as a “hose” Tuesday. In the early stages of training camp, however, the rookie has also shown a tendency to believe his hose can hurl footballs through granite.

On two occasions Tuesday, Kaepernick tossed interceptions while getting flushed out of the pocket. Safety Reggie Smith had both picks — the first on a tipped ball in traffic and the second on a ball he snagged after reading Kaepernick’s eyes.

I asked Harbaugh if those interceptions were a reflection of Kaepernick trying to force throws because of his belief in his hose.

“Yeah, we had two interceptions today and they occurred when he was outside of the pocket and that’s where you don’t have to force the ball, when he’s out of the pocket,” Harbaugh said. “So yeah, that’s part of the learning curve.”

Harbaugh was later asked to evaluate Kaepernick: “Great guy, smart guy who’s got a hose. He’s going to be just fine.”

* Taylor Mays — all 6-foot-3 inches and 230 pounds of him — looks like a ferocious NFL safety, but he isn’t the most fluid athlete.

On an overthrown pass today, Mays, the only player in the area, backpedaled in pursuit of the ball and fell.

* The catch of the day? I’ll give you 17 guesses.

OK, who had Chris Hogan?

The undrafted rookie free agent from Monmouth made a sweet one-handed grab on a slant route with cornerback Tramaine Brock draped all over him.

* Lined up at right defensive end, rookie Aldon Smith used a lightning-fast inside move to blow by left tackle Joe Staley, who, in a veteran move, appeared to trip him.